Results 29,481-29,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In order that I am clear, does it mean that I have four times as long as I normally have?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have a long script. Tell me when I have 30 seconds left and I will stop.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 81, 91, 92, and 109 together. I have already set out in general terms my views on the situation in Yemen, which is shocking. I share the Deputies' concerns about the dire security and humanitarian situation in Yemen and the urgent need to bring about a political solution for the country. There are direct threats to civilians from the ongoing fighting and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is a great deal of inflammatory language in the House, understandably, because people have genuine concern about this issue. However, it is not helpful for Deputy Boyd Barrett to talk about Saudi citizens who are in an embassy here and who are diplomats. The ambassador, whom I met last week, is from my experience a decent person who is trying to make a coherent case in very difficult...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is now the prospect of talks due to the work of a number of actors. The United States has been looking for and demanding a ceasefire in recent weeks and we need to build on that positive momentum. There is a clear signal from the Houthi side that it wants a ceasefire, and a lot of pressure is being put on the Saudi side to facilitate real and substantive talks in Sweden before the end...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy said there were 22 people at the embassy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: On the issue of arms sales, Ireland does not have an arms industry. Some products are sold in Ireland that have been described as having a duel use, but I am not aware of any sales of products used by the Saudi Arabian military. There was a discussion over lunch yesterday, and a number of ministers spoke about the approaches taken in their countries. Some do not sell arms to countries that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States: first, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and second, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US. The Taoiseach and I continue to prioritise this issue in all our engagements with the US administration and Congress. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: All I can say is we want to try to do as much as possible to provide an avenue by which Irish people who want to travel to the United States can do so legally. It is really important that we continue a tradition that has been followed for many decades where there is a continuing flow of talented, bright, motivated young Irish people to the United States to be part of decision-making,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The legislation being proposed includes a reciprocal arrangement by which US citizens who want to come to or retire in Ireland, as many would like to do, would be facilitated in so doing in a more streamlined way. It is currently possible to do so, but we could improve the conditions under which it happens. We continue to explore ways by which we could both help the undocumented and ensure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Mr. Jair Bolsonaro was elected as President of Brazil on 28 October and will be inaugurated on 1 January 2019. Officials in my Department in Dublin, at the Irish Embassy in Brasília and the Consulate-General in São Paulo followed the election process closely and have continued to monitor political developments since, including proposals the incoming government is considering. It...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: With respect, this seems to be a Sinn Féin approach. That party judges people on the basis of them as individuals.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: We will judge people by what they do.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: He is not the President of Brazil yet. The job of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to have appropriate relations with countries around the world. I do not write off our entire relationship with Brazil because we disagree. Clearly, I disagree with much of what he has said but he is the Brazilian President-elect who has been democratically elected and we will judge him on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I did not say that Ireland was concerned about its exports.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is not the subtext.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is not the subtext. It suits Deputy Crowe's sub-text.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have not expressed any support for this particular individual. For the Deputy to start talking about people's past and their role now in politics is a bit rich from his party.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will develop it, if you want me to. Sit down and let me develop it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My job, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, is to uphold Irish values and to look for Irish interests in terms of the relationships that we have abroad. Of course, there is concern about the direction that politics has taken in Brazil but we will have to work with the new President. We will have to build a relationship with that Government. We will be critical of him or any other...